Managing director Ian Milne believes there’s got to be “some massive rebuilding” at Town over the summer with owner Marcus Evans and manager Mick McCarthy having held their first meeting to discuss their plans for the 2017/18 season.

“Marcus has indicated and we’re indicating that there’s got to be some massive rebuilding over the summer and that’s starting, there’ll be more after the end of the season so they’ve started looking at the options,” he told Saturday’s Life’s a Pitch on BBC Radio Suffolk (47mins 00secs).

“There are loan players that I think we’d all like to keep, so they’ll be working on that. It’s always difficult to say precisely who is going to be here because it’s up to the players, they will have other offers, there will be some players who may go because they’ve got a better offer somewhere else.”

Does this rebuilding mean Evans will be spending some money? “He continues to spend a lot of money, £6 million or £7 million a year. I know fans want more spent but we all have budgets we have to cope with.

“As we’ve said before that squad, the basic squad is good as it proved against Newcastle, but it keeps going up and down, that’s our problem. We had bad day at Rotherham, which was very upsetting. Marcus was there and he knew our thoughts.”

Milne confirmed that McCarthy and Evans met last weekend to get their summer discussions under way: “They did, they had a good meeting, but it was the start of many.”

The MD says Evans is well aware that significantly more money is now being spent elsewhere in the division than was the case in previous seasons.

“He fully understands that,” he added. “At the moment he doesn’t know how much he’s going to spend because we don’t know who’s coming in and going out. But I’ve got no feeling that he’s going to spend less and hopefully he’ll spend more.”

Having said in January that he would make a decision on his future in the summer, McCarthy has more recently stated his intention to remain at Portman Road.

Asked whether McCarthy would still be in charge at Town next year, Milne added: “That’s a question we’re going to have to wait [to hear the answer to]. He’s got another year on his contract, I have no further news on that at the moment.

“At the moment he’s here, he’s going to continue for the season and we’ll see what he says.”

Milne isn’t yet sure when Town will announce their matchday prices and says the club have been discussing more flexible ticketing arrangements.

“Not at the moment, we’ve got a review with Marcus to go through that,” he said. “We want to get that right.

“Basically, it’s around the idea that we’ve got to understand that people’s lifestyles have changed and maybe they can’t come to every match and they want to pick and choose which matches they want to come to.

“I’m not a golfer myself, but they tell me golf club memberships are difficult to sell now because people don’t have that time every week to go and play.

“The same with us, they can’t come to every match, so I think we’ve got to give more options on that and that’s what we’re working on.”

Season ticket numbers are expected to dip to just below 10,000 for the first time since the Blues’ stint in the Premier League at the start of the century - a drop in revenue of more than £1 million - and Milne says the precise total sold before the recent early bird deadline should be known soon.

“We’re processing those at the moment, the DDs [Direct Debits], so we will be coming up with that shortly,” he continued.

“It’s lower than last year but I don’t know the actual figure at the moment. But we’ll come out with that shortly. Of course it is lower, we understand that because of the entertaining football issue.”

Regarding the new kits for the 2017/18 season which are yet to be unveiled, he said: “I think we’re a bit later this year, part of it is because of Adidas and the marketing.”

Milne expects the home strip to go down well with supporters: “I’ve seen it and it’s traditional and I think fans will love it.”

Photo: TWTD

co12blue added 13:19 - May 1 Same dross coming out of Milne as last season. Why should we believe anything that comes out of his mouth?
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casanovacrow added 14:01 - May 1 “Marcus has indicated and we're indicating that there's got to be some massive rebuilding over the summer" rebuilding by extending the contracts of Berra and Chambers and keeping on loan players who on the whole did their best but struggled to avoid relegation? because that's all that has been mentioned so far. Next season will be pretty much same ol' story. One or two loan players kept on, 2-3 100k players with very little hope of immediate impact, 4-6 free transfers, and the significant loss of Lawrence and I fear Bart, who kept us from being the whoopin boys of the division on their own. Empty PR promises as usual coming from Milne, until the actions math the words very few will believe anything coming out of his mouth. "I know fans want more spent but we all have budgets we have to cope with." So a guy worth £765million can only cope with £6m invested a year? when owners with far less put in much more? I'm sure there are even fans putting in a greater percentage of their wealth to pay for a season ticket than he is to run a club, and they wont even see a financial gain from it if we get promoted (very laughable "IF"). If you buy a football club it has running costs, which are the owners responsibility, if you don't want these then sell up. I can't see many clubs getting promoted without significant investment. Evans is surely making himself a guaranteed annual loss by not funding a promotion push? "As we've said before that squad, the basic squad is good as it proved against Newcastle" Picking out a one off every time to justify a falsehood as usual. We are what our league position suggests. Even if the squad is as good as he thinks there will be no progress under Mick as Newcastle was one of the extreme few games where the manager didn't suck out all the positive play from the game. #Depressed

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ChrisFelix added 14:45 - May 1 If the football is entertaining then you make time to watch your team. Sometimes work commitments or holidays mean that you can't make a game. But going to Portman Road is a pleasurable hobby, or should be. To turn up & find a midfield of Skuse Hyam & a difference class bloke is not entertaining. We get excited when young players make the grade. Sadly this has not been the case, with very few of our promising players progressing. My attendances at the club are now put on hold. I will go back but not until I'm enticed back by something I enjoy

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NBVJohn added 15:12 - May 1 I've just read this article again, and Christ this bloke irritates the hell out of me! Just what is the most annoying part of this latest 'interview' that allows him to get away with spouting nothing but nonsense? Is it the way he presents ME as a generous benefactor to whom we should show due deference as he dismantles the club? Is it that as MD, and I assume has a salary to match the title, he seems to not know what MM and ME discussed - either that or he's just too important to tell us? Is it that he will bang on on about the one bright spot of an appalling season from now until the next bright spot? (God knows when that will be.) He's like the kid in the playground that claims to know something that everyone else will want to know, and when it comes down to it, it's a massive anti climax because you already knew. No one is challenging anyone else to do better- and in my opinion, Milne is the mouthpiece of a club that is not only failing but wants us all to be deluded. I doubt that the rumours of the imminent sale of the club have any credibility, but I fear for the future of ITFC. Stick with this regime and we're doomed. If ME sells, who will he sell to? Not a pleasant thought but, realistically I struggle to see a way out of this. I want to be wrong - please prove me wrong with a credible, timebound plan that gives us some detail around budgets, relations with supporters, and how the club intends to re-energise it's place in the local community, not a hastily thought up, 'back of a fag packet' 5 point con to bridge the gap in the short term. Make some bold statements, back them up with actions. Make yourselves accountable or shut up. Above all treat us with respect.

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Seasider added 16:11 - May 1 I hope this is a holding statement,pending further developments;because otherwise it shows Mr Milne is incompetent for being unable to answer specifically the questions put to him. The bit about lifestyle change,seems like getting in an excuse for the reduction in season ticket sales early; otherwise it is nonsense. Kallyweed.I am glad you know where he lives as you have plenty of choices between 2 homes in London,a mansion in the Southwest of England which cost him £9m.Also abroad in Bermuda where he is domiciled for tax puposes,or Irelandwhere the group HQ is! Scuzzer the massive rebuilding plan Mr Milne mentions,could be the big refurb being carried out at the above mentioned mansion I believe? I too recall Derek Bowden fondly who was sacked by Evans so that he could bring in Cleggy.Derek,now CEO of Essex CCC are in the top tier of English Cricket after being promoted from the 2nd tier last season.Just Saying!.

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CornardBlue added 17:36 - May 1 Milne should never be in this job, he has no idea about football or how to run a club same as the last clown Clegg all Milne is a yes man for Evans. What this club needs is an MD who can be a link between the club and the fans, someone like Matt Holland, Mick Mills or Terry Butcher someone with blue in there veins and a love of the club. To the likes of Milne its just another job in the Evans empire. We want someone who will stand up to MM and tell him the fans are fed up with the boring football he serves up and either change it or ship out. I can remember when Mr John Cobbold and Mr Sheepshanks would walk through the stands and speak to the fans before games this was good PR for the club and make supporters feel part of the club, all this has gone now, we used to be a friendly club everyones second club now we are a joke and only known for playing boring football. Things need to change and change quickly and Milne must go.

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therein61 added 17:56 - May 1 It saddens me to say that I have finally cancelled my direct debit(after deep deep consideration!) and will not renew next year I had planned this last year but like an idiot believed the spin coming out of Tax Loss FC and renewed only to be rewarded with total crap this season and am not prepared for anymore(while Mick is still here) I will be going to some away games as these are an easier journey from Bath rather than the pointless trek to home games. my first Town game was at Portman Road in April 1958 and we beat Liverpool 4-1!!!!!!! I don't think that will happen again in my life time, I have seen many highs home and away(and abroad) and some lows but I have never felt as low and unhappy as I do now regarding the club I love, Mick you have not only wrecked this great club you have absolutely destroyed any faith I have left in it!!!! just go away and let me believe again!!

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MicksZzzTactics added 18:38 - May 1 WOW! Great, thoughtful & spot-on posts everyone (with the ehmmm possible, repeat possible, exception of my personal close "good chappie" @swn98's -:) Smile! Chappie! Smile! Dammit! LOL) .... So as I see no real need nor reason to just repeat or echo what's already been so exquisitely written & delivered by others, I just want to let all of you good but for obvious precedential reasons also highly **skeptical** Ipswich Town FC luving & caring folks -- with a minimal sense of darkish humor, mind you! -- know that I've ehmmm come up with a draft :-) for brand new super duper (and imho much more potentially fitting!) business card for our **seemingly** equal parts clueless equal parts deluded "SNAKE OIL SALESMAN EXTRAORDINAIRE" aka Mr. Ian Milne: LOL! So what y'all think??? I.E soon to be fairly appropriate? .... or just inherently inappropriate? :-D :-D

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sydneytown added 20:02 - May 1 just reading that leeds wont sell 15,000 season tickets big club like that , hate to think how many we will sell
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blueboy1981 added 20:04 - May 1 ......... if Evans and Milne (forget MM) have any interest in our Club at all - they just HAVE to be concerned. We are in danger of slipping completely over the edge, unless drastic action is taken. Who, in their right mind, would want yet another season of what we have had recently ? - never before have so many, longed for the season to end so soon. First time for me in 50+ years - and I know I'm not alone in that.

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blueboy1981 added 20:07 - May 1 therein61 ......... I equally share your feelings.
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Bluedandy added 20:13 - May 1 Any massive rebuild should include the removal of this bland corporate toady from Ipswich Town. Mr. Milne you are an utterly uninspiring yes man who is clueless about football. Please leave.
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blueboy1981 added 20:19 - May 1 CornardBlue ......... I like your post, sound and logic ideas - however, Milne is just a paid puppet who can't pull his own strings, or the purse strings. I believe he understands the state of flux the Club is in, and faces - however all Clubs have paid bean counters, and he will (just like Clegg) only have that role of working to instructions, as well as being a mouthpiece to us all. Oh - for the Town of Old. Whatever happened to us .... ? - I guess we all know the answer to that ... !!

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blueboy1981 added 20:19 - May 1 CornardBlue ......... I like your post, sound and logic ideas - however, Milne is just a paid puppet who can't pull his own strings, or the purse strings. I believe he understands the state of flux the Club is in, and faces - however all Clubs have paid bean counters, and he will (just like Clegg) only have that role of working to instructions, as well as being a mouthpiece to us all. Oh - for the Town of Old. Whatever happened to us .... ? - I guess we all know the answer to that ... !!

1

Swn98 added 20:30 - May 1 I've renewed and i am looking forward to next Season especially if MM goes and if he doesn't Welllllll
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sereneblue added 21:25 - May 1 Thanks Swn98. You've just proved my point.
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Suffolk_n_Good added 22:32 - May 1 For your information swn98 you'll notice that my posts are honest, accurate & any bad language I may allude to is either tempered (as bad language is taken down) as *****, but that's ok my friend you just keep burying your head in the sand, week after week I have to read your pathetic attempts to defend the indefensible, people like you only encourage McCarthy, Evans & Milne to carry on in the same manner as they have done previously, because you backing them allows them too. I've followed ITFC for over 35 years, but as I've said previously I won't be attending PR again until McCarthy has gone, that doesn't mean I stop loving my team or wanting success, what it means is I'm prepared to sacrifice in the short term to gain longer term.

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Dorsetblue added 22:46 - May 1 As a shareholder we sold our club to Mr Evans. It was either sell or fold! So in simple terms he saved our club, now look at portsmouth, Charlton, coventry, Leyton Orient. We were bloody lucky not to get an owner like them. It's clear mr evans didnt get so rich by not following a business plan. Well ITFC has one and they are following it. Maybe season ticket sales will open there eyes, but unless you can find someone to dip there hand in the till each year to 7 million+ plus the historic debt then he is here to stay. So move on... MM might have been held back by the business plan so wonder what he could have done with money. Look at the whole picture not the small part. And to the people who go on about the old days we'll time has moved on. We aren't big and we are not rich so get used to it.

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Dissboyitfc added 07:32 - May 2 Gemini and all the MM lovers stop keep quoting lack of funds!!!! One example is Chambers at RB for 3 seasons, spence comes along and first time around is rejected because we have a RB ( proper bloke ) in Chambers, spence comes in when MM 's hand are forced through injury. We lost lots of games because of that flaw at RB, he fills the midfield with defensive rubbish to compensate. All you MM lovers please explain that away, if you can!!!!!

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Swn98 added 07:40 - May 2 Suffolk n good I was pointing out that those who use like language shouldn't be judgemental on other people who use the same language it is very difficult to take the high moral ground. Dorset blue an accurate description of our present plight wasted I'm afraid most blinkered to reality news site contributors. Sereneblue the saddest thing about this site is that so called supporters mark me down for renewing my season ticket sad.

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itfchorry added 10:14 - May 2 SW98 - Nothing better when SuffolknGood has to explain it to you ! However, your posts do make me chuckle !
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Swn98 added 13:32 - May 2 itfcchorry im glad i make you chuckle this site could do with a bit more of that,Suffolkngood doesn't have to explain anything to me i merely pointed out his hypocrisy by criticizing McCarthy for swearing then post numerous posts using the same type of language he is not the only one. I am not here to pass moral judgement on anyone, just saying people in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.

0

therein61 added 16:40 - May 2 I wish that I were holier than though swn98
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Swn98 added 19:31 - May 2 therein61 not being holier than though just passing comment.
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Suffolk_n_Good added 19:55 - May 2 Swn98 I'm merely pointing out your hypocrisy, you love to claim the moral high ground telling everyone who will listen "look at me I'm a proper supporter who backs the club at any cost" that doesn't make you anymore a supporter than it does me, what it does make you is a naive, narrow minded person who loves to preach there narrow minded views to others. There you go, no bad language, you happy now....... no didn't think so

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